DATA PREVIEW: IS IT TOO EARLY TO CARE ABOUT 2023?

By Kevin Kastner WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The upcoming week’s key events are concentrated into the middle of the week, with Wednesday’s FOMC meeting the highlight. While it is doubtful that the meeting will produce anything earth-shattering, it should confirm the shift in attention toward improving the employment situation and supporting the economic recovery rather than […]

DATA FLASH: US MANUFACTURING CONDITIONS IMPROVE FURTHER IN AUGUST

–ISM Manufacturing Index Rises To 56.0 In August, High Since Nov 2018–July Construction Spending Softer Than Expected; Residential Up By Kevin Kastner WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The August ISM index showed U.S . manufacturing sector activity expanded further due to extraordinarily strong demand, but the sector is still laying off workers and some sectors have not […]

STATUS CHECK: CULTURE WAR MORE COMPLICATED AT GROUND LEVEL

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Tuesday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes: The conflicted national mood was well represented Tuesday, with the stark warnings from the Republican National Convention speakers the night before of what was described as a choice between “church, work and school […]

DATA FLASH: EXISTING HOME SALES NOW IN ‘BOOMING PHASE’

-Existing Home Sales Surge by 24.7% to a 5.86 Mln Rate, High Since 2006-Supply Continues To Contract, Lifting Prices To Record High-Markit Flash Data Rise, Contradicting Regional Data to Date By Kevin Kastner WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – U.S. existing home sales surged to a 14-year high in July on record low mortgage rates and an increased […]

STATUS CHECK: ALL TOGETHER NOW, LET’S POLARIZE FURTHER

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Tuesday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes: Democrats and President Trump and some Republicans and President Trump traded insults through the day and into prime time. “Colin Powell is a Neocon WMD hoaxer, so of course he’s appearing at the […]

DATA FLASH: JULY HOUSING STARTS SURGE, SUGGEST SUPPLY SURGE

By Kevin Kastner WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The U.S. July home building data, released Tuesday, were much stronger than expected and show that the record low mortgage rates are encouraging an increase in supply to meet the demand for new homes. The pace of housing starts rose by 22.6% to a 1.496 million annual rate, well […]

STATUS CHECK: NOT THE TIME TO PINE FOR NATIONAL UNITY AS ELECTION APPROACHES

WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Monday’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes: “I wish that when we went into lockdown we looked like Italy.” Quote of the day, from Dr. Deborah Birx, Corona Virus Task Force coordinator, to KARK-TV. Is it true, as she said, […]

TRUMP SIGNS 4 EXEC ORDERS, DEFERRING PAYROLL TAX, EXTENDING EVICTIONS MORATORIUM

By Denny Gulino WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – Combining campaign promises with executive orders of questionable legality, President Trump Saturday said he is deferring payroll tax collections  through the end of the year for pay of $100,00 or less and if re-elected, will “terminate” the tax. In his second televised appearance at his Bedminster, N.J. golf resort […]

DATA FLASH: JUNE EXISTING HOME SALES SURGE; MARKET ‘RED HOT’

–Existing Home Sales Jump 20.7% to a 4.72 Million Rate–Supply Remains Tight, Boosting Prices By Kevin Kastner WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – U.S. existing home sales surged on pent-up demand in June after three straight declines, with the current month’s data reflecting contract signings after states began to reopen. National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun […]

DATA PREVIEW: US HOME SALES CENTER STAGE IN QUIET DATA WEEK

By Kevin Kastner WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – In the lighter data week ahead, the focus will be on new and existing homes sales for June, reflecting the extremely low level of mortgage rates offset by continued uncertainty due to the resurgence of COVID cases and the elevated unemployment rate. In May, existing home sales plunged by […]